biomechanical evaluations on the ground and the footwear
Under the supervision of Sylvain Blanchard, Medical Director of AS Monaco, the players of the Academy are subjected to tests in order to improve their knowledge on the importance of the footwear according to the surface of the grounds. Objective for the Performance department in search of excellence: to strengthen injury prevention and performance in the field.
On the municipal stadium of La Turbie, the U17s of AS Monaco are busy on Tuesday afternoon. Courses, sprints, changes of pace: under the autumn sun, the Rouge et Blanc are stepping up their efforts. Once these are finished, they then head to the edge of the field. Change of crampons. And the same exercises start again: classes, sprints, changes of pace.
At the end of the session, the young footballers fill out a questionnaire to record their feelings on the pairs used. At the same time, a sensor placed on their ankles compiles data allowing staff to study the shocks and traumas that can be recorded by terrain or crampons. In plastic or leather, with “molds” or in strips, the shoes have a real importance in the health of the athletes.
A classification of crampons and video recordings
Here is the protocol implemented by Doctor Sylvain Blanchard, Medical Director of AS Monaco in collaboration with Philippe Rouch, Director of Research at EPF, engineering school. “We wanted to focus on the impact of the fields on the injuries of young people at the training center,” explains Sylvain Blanchard. There are several factors to study because young people evolve on very different terrains from one week to the next. The reflection extended on the choice of shoes as well as crampons. All this is part of the knowledge that players must have because it is their working tool. Our goal is for them to be aware of what to wear depending on the type of terrain they are going to play on. “
All players have different body types and therefore need different shoes. All the data acquired allow us to have a better overview. The goal is to prevent injuries and improve comfort and performance.
Director of Research at EPF
Thanks to the help of the EPF, several tools are placed around the pitches in order to supervise the exercises. For example, a robotic arm equipped with a computer is responsible for reproducing the movements (landing after a duel, resuming support, etc.) in order to have a more global view. “We were able to define a cartography of the boots and crampons in order to classify according to their characteristics according to the different types and technologies of terrain encountered,” specifies Philippe Rouch. All players have different body types and therefore need different shoes. All the data acquired allow us to have a better overview. The goal is to prevent injuries and improve comfort and performance. We like when the teams are complete and have all their elements, in full possession of their means! “
Today, organizations such as FIFA or World Rugby are looking more and more at the question of the surface of the pitches, which proves that it is an important subject. Today’s footballers run faster, longer and at a higher intensity.
AS Monaco Medical Director
Technology at the service of performance
The study does not stop there and neither does the technologies used, since the physiotherapists also video record certain workshops. “We look at the movements from the front and in profile and we correct according to what we see,” explains Sylvain Blanchard, former medical and scientific manager of Racing 92 (Top 14). Today, organizations such as FIFA or World Rugby are looking more and more at the question of the surface of the pitches, which proves that it is an important subject. Today’s footballers run faster, longer and at a higher intensity. To avoid injury, therefore, equipment, such as pitches and shoes, must follow suit. “
Already practiced on the U17s, these test sessions are also planned for the U19s and the group of N2. Always with the objective of formulating recommendations for a footwear that is both efficient and secure depending on the coverings. In addition, this protocol was put in place by AS Monaco for the benefit of Monaco Rugby 7, as a sign of support for the Monegasque team, which will play on November 13 in the final of the second edition of the Supersevens at Paris La Défense Arena.
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